The Math of Survival: How Leah Found Her Edge at Kimlea

Leah used to spend her breaks at the hotel doing a difficult kind of math. As a young mother raising her child alone, she knew exactly what her shifts as a waitress were worth, and she knew it wasn't enough. With her baby’s father refusing to help, the weight of the future—school fees, medical care, a stable home—rested entirely on her.

She was working as hard as she could, but she was hitting a wall. Without formal training, Leah was trapped in a cycle of low-wage labor. She didn't have the luxury of time to attend a three-year college, and she couldn't afford to stop working. She was stuck in a holding pattern, waiting for a life that felt out of reach.

Flexibility as a Lifeline

The Kimlea Business Centre (KBC) was built for women in Leah’s exact position. We know that for a working mother, time is her most precious currency. Leah didn't need a classroom full of theory; she needed a professional kitchen and a schedule that didn't force her to choose between her child’s dinner and her own education.

Through a sponsorship program, Leah joined KBC as a part-time student. Every

Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, Leah was at Kimlea mastering the technical side of the industry. She moved from the dining floor into the heart of food production.

At KBC, she learned the why behind the work. She studied guest service standards, kitchen management, and the high-level catering skills that the market actually demands. Because the training is 90% hands-on, the shift in her ability was immediate. She wasn't just learning to cook; she was learning to lead.

The Promotion She Built for Herself

Within weeks of starting her training at Kimlea, Leah’s employer saw the change. She was no longer just a waitress; she was a skilled technician. She was moved from the tables to the food production department, a move that came with a promotion and a salary increment.

Today, Leah’s life looks different:

• Financial Stability: She has the breathing room to pay for her child’s future and support her mother back home.

• Leadership: She has transitioned from a student to a mentor, now training the other chefs in her hotel.

• Hope: The exhaustion of just getting by has been replaced by the excitement of a career that is finally moving forward.

  
  

What is the Kimlea Business Centre (KBC)?

The KBC is a specialized hub within Kimlea Technical College that provides short-term, high-impact training for women and girls. We focus on turning raw talent into professional business acumen.

• Our Courses: We offer 2-month sessions in Catering, Baking, Detergent Production, and Business Management (Marketing, Bookkeeping, and Cost Accounting).

• Our Schedule: Classes run throughout the year on Tuesdays and Thursdays,

  2 pm – 5 pm.

• Our Goal: To give women the life skills and technical tools to either compete for promotions or successfully run their own businesses.

Help Us Write the Next Story

Leah is now a pillar of her community, but there are so many others standing at that same kitchen table, doing that same difficult math. If you are looking for the tools to grow your income, manage your business more profitably, or move into a leadership role like Leah did, our doors are open.

We are currently enrolling for our upcoming sessions. Whether you are interested in our production tracks or our business management courses, we are ready to help you bridge the gap to your future.

Visit the Kimlea Girls Technical Training Centre in Limuru to register